Psychological treatment in pre- and early psychosis

This article aims to overview a broad range of psychosocial treatments for first-episode psychosis, and for the prodromal phase (or so-called at-risk mental state)--the period preceding the first acute episode (Yung and McGorry, 1996). Firstly, an introduction to the empirically based rationale for early intervention in first-episode psychosis is provided. This is followed by a selective review of individual psychotherapies for early psychosis, which then proceeds to a discussion of family-based interventions for first-episode families and the role of group programs. Next, the role of psychological interventions within the newly emerging indicated preventive approach (Mrazek and Haggerty, 1994) for at-risk mental state is examined before some illustrative case material is presented. It is concluded that integrated psychosocial interventions for first-episode psychosis and for prodrome are newly emerging, innovative fields that offer some preventive opportunities. These opportunities, combined with some initial outcome data, warrant continuing research and clinical innovation.